Aug 13 2010
The two office buildings that comprise the Union Square campus, at 899 and 999 North Capitol Street, NE, have both received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification following a two-year assessment and implementation process.
Comprehensive real estate services firm Akridge, manager of the properties, and property owner CIM Group decided to pursue LEED status in 2008, after the buildings had earned Energy Star recognition. Akridge proceeded to improve the properties' lighting, plumbing and cooling systems, increasing building efficiency and resulting in the award of LEED EB (Existing Building) Silver certification for both addresses.
"Akridge is committed to top of the line, proactive property management, which includes making every effort to reduce the carbon footprint of our entire portfolio," said Kathryn L. Barnes, Senior Vice President of Akridge. "We pursued and achieved LEED certification at Union Square by making important upgrades that benefit our building Clients as well as the environment."
In the heart of DC's emerging NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue) neighborhood, Union Square's two buildings were constructed in 1969 and 1973, and previously renovated in 1999. Both are undergoing additional renovations, and each represents approximately 300,000 square feet of rentable space. The DC Department of Health recently leased half of 899 North Capitol. Specific initiatives undertaken as part of the LEED certification process included installation of new plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures and air filters, as well as improvements to the buildings' chillers, introduction of green cleaning practices and implementation of enhanced recycling programs. Akridge and CIM retained the Leonardo Academy to perform the original LEED assessment and to consult on the certification process.
Source: http://www.akridge.com/